Return bend fitting for oil stills



Oct. 8, 1 935.

H. c. STOCKHAM 2,016,912 v RETURN BEND FITTING FOR OIL STILLS v Filed Feb. 15, 1933 '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 s I FIG.

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TTORNE'Y Get, 8, 1935. H. c. s'rocKHAM v 2,016,912

RETURN BEND FITTING FOR OIL STILLS IR II" I TORNEY Oct. 8, 1935. H. c. STOCKHAM RETURN BEND FITTING FOR OIL STILLS Filed Feb. 15, 1933 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 mull HIIII FIG. 8.

I v I INVENT OR 7.1M0M

fad/MM TORNEY Ill 10 Mia Oct. 8, 1935. H. c. STOCKHAM 2,015,912

' RETURN BEND FITTING FOR OIL STILLS Filed Feb. 15, 1933 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. /0.

INVENTOR 7WM TTORNEY Filed Feb. 15, 1953 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. /2.

Oct. 8, 1935. H. c. STOCKHAM RETURN BEND FITTING FOR OIL STILLS 'r Sheets-Sheet 6' Filed Feb. 15, 1933 INVENTOR )Wc. JM BY 7 "QR Y Oct. 8, 1935., H. c. STOCKHAM ,9

RETURN BEND FITTING FOR OIL STILLS File'd-Feb. 15. 1933 7 sheets-sheet 7 FIG/6 0 /4 I6 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 8, 1935 UNITED STATES RETURN BEND FITTING FOR OIL STILLS Herbert G. Stockham, Birmingham, Ala., assignor to Fred C. Fantz, Webster Groves, Mo.

Application February 15, 1933, Serial No. 656,199

13 Claims.

My invention relates to that class of return bends which are designed to be used in the cracking coils or tube banks, of a refinery, for the purpose of connecting adjacent tubes to each 5 other so as to provide a continuous passage therethrough.

It is well known that it is a highly desirable end to provide these tubes, which frequently have to be removed, with demountable return bends so that the tubes can be replaced, re-

which are demountably secured to a detachable housing so that if it becomes desirable to remove or replace one of the tubes, it can be taken out without disturbing the adjacent tube. I have 25 also provided convenient means for the removal of the return bend which connects the adjacent tubes so as to permit access to their interior for the purpose of cleaning them of the surplus coke, which deposits therein during the refining operatin.'

My means of accomplishing the foregoing objects may be more readily understood by having reference to the accompanying drawings, which are hereunto annexed and are a part of this specification, in which-- Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of my improved construction;

Fig. 2 is a top or plan view of the same, the housings and the return bend being omitted for the sake of clearness;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a modified form of construction;

Fig. 4 shows at its left side, a top or plan view 45 of the device shown in Fig. 3, with the housing and return bend omitted, while at the right hand half of this figure, I have shown a modified form'of construction in which the bottom of the housing member is horseshoe shaped so that 50 it may be slipped into place after the return bend is placedin assembled position.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view on the line 5-5 in Fig. 1; 1

Fig. 6 is an end elevation of one of the hous- 5 ings shown in Fig. 1, a portion of the exterior wall being broken away to show the interior conin Fig. 6; I

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary detail view of one of the 5 bottom plates, used in the construction illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken on -the line 9-9 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 10 is an end elevation oi! one of the hous- 10 ing members, shown in Fig. 3, a portion of the wall being broken away to show the interior construction;

Fig. 11 is a side elevation of one of the bottom plates shown in'Fig. 4; a portion of one of the two' halves being broken away for the sake of cleamess;

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of a modified form of construction, a portion of the exterior being broken away and showing one-half of the structure in section; and

Fig. 13 is a top or plan view of the modified form of Fig. 12, a portion of one of the housings being broken away to show the means of locking the housing sections against disengagement with the bottom plate.

Fig. 14 is a vertical sectional view of a modified form of construction shown at the right hand half of Fig. 4;

Fig. 15 is a top or plan view of the same, part of the housing and the return bend being omitted for the sake of clearness;

Fig. 16 is a vertical, sectional view of a modified form of .construction;

' Fig. 17 is.a side elevation of the plates partly broken away to show the interior of one of the halves of the plates.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout-the entire description.

shown in the drawings, a conventional return bend I is provided to connect a pair of adjacent still tubes 2 and 3 so as to provide a continuous passage therethrough. These tubes 2 and 3 are providedv with upset or shouldered portions 4 and 5 adjacent their end. The shoulders on these tubes are engaged by a pair of plates '6 and 1, these plates having tube surrounding portions 8, which engage the shoulders 4 and 5 on the tubes 2 and 3.

, Each of the plates adjacent'to the tube surrounding portions is provided with upwardly extending semi-cylindrical portions 10 and I I. As shown in Fig. 2v the upwardly extending portions l0 and II are provided with outwardly extending circumferential flanges which areprovided with a plurality of slots I! which form a number of spaced lugs i3.

The plates are fitted around the tubes 2 and I, and a channel ll, the walls of which iorm a saddle for. the central web I! which forms the connecting portion of the plates.

A bolt I6 is then screwed into the channel, drawing it tightly up against the sides of the plates so that they are held securely locked against the shoulders on the tubes.

I provide a pair of housing sections which are separate and are each formed with substantially annular portions l1, each of which is provided with a. pair 01 upwardly extending side walls is and I9. These walls may be joined together at the top, forming hubs 20, in which are mounted set screws 2|, as clearly seen in Figs. 5 and 8. These hubs may be hexagonal for the reception of a wrench ii. desired. The inner end or the set screws 2| engage abutments -22 formed on the external wall of the return bend I.

In some cases it may be found desirable to form the upwardly extending side walls I! and II without bringing them together and Joining them in one piece at the top, in which case any one of the well known types of toggles such as shown in Figs. 14 and 15 may be employed for the'purpose of holding the set screws ii.

The inner wall oi each of the annular portions ll of the housing is provided with a recessed circumferential groove which is provided with spaced lugs 23, which are adapted to fit the spaces l2 between the spaced lugs is on the upwardly extending semi-cylindrical portions II and II formed on the plates 8 and I.

It may, in some cases, be found desirable to construct the housing member as shown at the right hand half of Fig. 4. In this construction instead of providing an annular portion II, the lower part of the housing is horseshoe shaped, as clearly seen in this hall 01' Fig. 4 so that it may be slipped under the circumferential flanges formed on the upwardly extending semi-cylindrical portions l and II on the plates I and 1, where this is done obviously the slots i2 may be omitted. It may, in some cases. be found desirable to provide for locking the housing by rotating it-say one-sixteenth or a turn this can be done after the return bend is in place.

The device is bled in the following manner: The plates-are fitted to the tubes 2 and I and the channel. is boltedin place, thus securely locking the web II and the tube portions I of the plates with the shoulders l and ionthe tubesland'. 'Ihelugs II ontheannular member'l'l oi the housing members are then'fitted. into the spec: I! between the lugs II onthe upwardly extending semi-cylindrical portions Ill and ii and the housing is given a slight turn suificient to cause the spaced lugs ll tobebeneaththespacedlugs llontheplates, when by tightening the set screws II it will be apparent that the return bends will be drawn into a leak-proof joint at the end of the tubes.

In this construction when the return bend I is to be removed, the housing sections are removed with it, being turned a suiiicient portion of a revolution so as to bring the lugs 23 in register 'with corresponding spaces II between the lugs 13, when the whole assembly can be easily removed from its assembled positions. when toggles are employed then it is not neeemary to remove the housing members. Means for locking the housing sections against t is showninriumandlsinwhgmanarcmto specific type of means for locking the housing in place it will be clear to persons skilled in the art that any suitable or desired means may be employed for this purpose,

In the modified form of construction as shown in Figs. 3, 4, 10 and 11, the external walls 21 of 10 the semi-cylindrical portions l0 and II on the plates 6 and I are provided with threads 28 and corresponding internal threads 30 are cut in the annular portions ll of the housing members. The housing members may then be screwed on to the upwardly extending portions of the plates and remain permanently in such position, except when it is necessary or desirable to remove'or replace the tubes. A conventional form of securing means is shown for this modified form which .comprises toggles or plates 24 which engage a slot 35 formed in the upwardly extending side walls ll and IQ of the housing members. The set screws 2| are mountedin the plates 24. The operation of completing a tight joint is identical 25 with that of the previously described formoi this device.

Although I have shown a specific type of Joint between the return bend of the tube it will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that no special type of joint is necessary for the proper functioning of my invention and I do not intend or desire to be limited to any specific type oi joint for this purpose or to any specific type 0! toggle for holding the set screws 2|. Neither do v I desire to be limited to the specific type of saddle or channel arrangement for holding the plates together as numerous changes may be made, all of which will be within the scope of the hereinalter contained claims. 40

In fact, in some instances, it may be found desirable to entirely dispense with the saddle or any securing means for holding the plates 6 and I together. It may also be deemed desirable in some cases to have the annular portion II or the housing discontinuous, which obviously can be done without departing from the spirit oi my invention.

Having described my invention what I regard as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is;

1. In a refinery apparatus, a conventional return bend adapted to connect adjacent tubes in a still, comprising a'compound housing consisting of two sections, each of which has an annular member with upwardly extending side walls, there being slots in said side walls and toggles mounted therein, set screws in said toggles, the inner ends 0! which engage said return bend, a pair of plates having tube surrounding portions which engage the shoulders on said tubes, upw wardly extending semi-cylindrical portions on said plates, shoulders on the external walls of said portions, adapted to engage registering means on said annular portions and means to lock said plates together.

2. In a refinery apparatus, a conventional return bend adapted to connect adjacent tubes in a still, comprising a compound housing consistingot two sections, each of which has an annular member with upwardly extending side walls, there being slots in said side walls and toggles mounted therein, set screws in said toggles, the inner ends of which engage said return bend, a pair 0! plates having tube surrounding portions which engage the shoulders on said tubes. 7s

upwardly extending. semi-cylindrical portions on said p1ates, a circumferential flange on said portion, spaced lugs on said flange, adapted to engage inwardly extending spaced lugs on the annular members, and means to lock said plates together.

3. ma refinery apparatus, a. conventional re-- turn bend adapted to connect adjacent shouldered tubes in a still, comprising a compound housing consisting of two sections, each of which has an annular member with upwardly extending side Walls, there being slots in said side walls and toggles mounted therein, set screws in said toggles, the inner ends of which engage said return 2 bend, a pair of plates having tube surrounding portions which engage the shoulders on said tubes, upwardly extending semi-cylindrical portions on said plates, threads on said semi-cylindrical portions adapted to engage threads on said annular members, and means to lock said plates together.

4. In a refinery apparatus, a conventional return bend adapted to connect adjacent tubes in a still, comprising a compound housing consisting of two sections, each of which has an annular member with upwardly extending side walls, there being slots in said side walls and toggles mounted therein, set screws in said toggles, the inner ends of which engage said return bend, a pair of plates having tube surrounding portions which engage the shoulders on said tubes, upwardly extending semi-cylindrical portions on said plates.

shoulders on the external walls of said portions, adapted to engage registering means on said annular portions, means to lock said plates together, said means comprising a channel in which said plates rest and a bolt which passes through said plates and channel to lock the plates securely together.

5. In a refinery apparatus, a conventional return bend adapted to connect adjacent tubes in a still, comprising a compound housing consisting of two sections, each of which has an annular member with upwardly extending side walls which are joined at the top and form a hub, set screws in said hub, the inner ends of which engage said return bend, a pair of plates having tube surrounding portions which engage the shoulders on said tubes, upwardly extending semi-cylindrical portions on said plates, shoulders on the exter nal walls of said portions, adapted to engage registering means on said annular portions and means to lock said plates together.

6. In a refinery apparatus, a conventional return bend adapted to connect adjacent tubes in a still, comprising a compound housing consisting of two sections, each of which has'an annular member with upwardly extending side walls,

there being. slots in said side walls and toggles mounted therein, set screws in said toggles, the inner ends of which engage said return bend, a pair of plates having tube surrounding portions which engage the shoulders on said tubes, upwardly extending semi-cylindrical portions on said plates, interengaging means on said housing sections and said semi-cylindrical portions to lock said parts together, and means to lock said plates together.

'7. In a refinery apparatus, a conventional return bend adapted to connect adjacent tubes in a still, comprising a compound housing consisting of two sections, each of which has an annular member with upwardly extending side walls, there'being slots in said side walls and toggles mounted therein, set screws in said toggles, the inner ends of which engage said return bend, a

pair of plates having tube surrounding portions which engage the shoulders on said tubes, upwardly extending semi-cylindrical portions on said plates, shoulders on the external walls of said portions, adapted to engage registering means on said annular portions.

8. In a refinery apparatus, a conventional return bend adapted to connect adjacent tubes in a still, comprising a compound housing consisting of two sections, each of which has an annular member with upwardly extending side walls, there being slots in said side walls and toggles mounted therein, set screws in said toggles, the inner ends of which engage said return bend, a pair of plates having tube surrounding portions which engage the shoulders on said tubes, upwardly extending semi-cylindrical portions on said plates, a circumferential fiange on said portion, spaced lugs on said flange, adapted to engage inwardly extending spaced lugs on the annular members.

9. In a refinery apparatus, a conventional return bend adapted to connect adjacent tubes in a still, comprising a compound housing consisting of.two sections, each of which has an annular member with upwardly extending side walls, there being slots in said side walls and toggles mounted therein, set screws in said toggles, the inner ends of which engage said return bend, a pair of plates having tube surrounding portions which engage the shoulders on said tubes, upwardly extending semi-cylindrical portions on said plates, threads on said semi-cylindrical portions adapted to engage threads on said annular members a saddle which straddles said plates between said tubes and means to draw said saddle tightly against the sides of said plate.

10. In a refinery apparatus, a conventional return bend adapted to connect adjacent tubes in a still, comprising a compound housing consisting of two sections, each of which has an annular member with upwardly extending side walls, there being slots in said side walls and toggles mounted therein, set screws in said toggles, the inner ends of which engage said return bend, a pair of plates having tube surrounding portions which engage the shoulders on said tubes, upwardly extending semi-cylindrical portions on said plates, interengaging means on said housing sections and said semi-cylindrical portions to lock said parts together the outer walls of said plates between the tubes being inclined, a saddle formed oi a channel, the sides of which are fitted to the inclined walls of said plate, located between said tubes, and means to draw said saddle tightly against the sides of said plate whereby the plates are locked together,

11. In a refinery apparatus, a conventional return bend adapted to connect adjacent tubes in a still, comprising a compound housing consisting of two sections, each of which has a horseshoe shaped member with upwardly extending side walls, there being slots in said side walls and toggles mounted therein, set screws in said toggles, the inner ends of which engage said return bend, a pair oi. plateshaving tube surroundingportions which engage the shoulders on said tubes, upwardly extending semi-cylindrical portions on said plates, interengaging means on said housing sections and said semi-cylindrical portions to lock said parts together.

12. A conventional return bend for refinery ap- 'paratus, adapted to connect adjacent tubes of a wardly extending side walls thereon, a pair of plates, there being mating semi-circular openings therein, adjacent their ends, mating upwardly extending semi-cylindrical portions on said plate adapted to interlock with said annular members and to be locked on said tubes, a saddle adapted to straddle the central portion of said plate, means to draw said saddle tightly against said plate, and means to draw the return bend on said tubes into a leak proof joint.

13. A conventional return bend for refinery ap-' paratus, adapted to connect adjacent tubes 0! a still to provide a continuous passageway therethrough, a pair of shouldered tubes, a compound housing comprising annular members having uphousing comprising annular members havinz upwardly extending side walls thereof, a pair of plates, there being mating semi-circular openings therein, adjacent their ends, mating upwardly extending semi-cylindrical portions on said plate adapted to interlock said annular members and to be locked on said tubes, a saddle formed of a channel, the sides 01' which are fitted to the sides or said plate, a bolt which extends through said plate and into said saddle whereby the tightening l0 0! said bolt will lock the said plates tightly against the shoulders on the tubes and means to draw the return bend and said tubes into a leak proof Joint.

T C. STOCKHAM. l5 

